John David “JD” Souther, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame known for his co-written hits with the Eagles, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78.
The singer-songwriter died peacefully at home in New Mexico, representatives of Solders PR said. Cause of death not reported.
Souther was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 2, 1945, and grew up in Amarillo, Texas. In the late sixties, after moving to Los Angeles, California, he formed a long-lasting partnership with Glenn Frey of the Eagles. The two briefly formed the band Longbranch Pennywhistle, which released an eponymous album in 1970 for Jimmy Bowen’s Amos Records.
Throughout the seventies, Souther collaborated on many songs for the Eagles, including “Best of My Love”, “James Dean”, “New Kid in Town” and “Doolin-Dalton”. He would co-write “Hard Take Tonight” with Frey, Bob Seger and Don Henley, which the Eagles would record and release in 1979, the group’s final number one hit on the Hot 100.
As a successful solo artist, Souther recorded his self-titled debut in 1972 and formed The Souther-Hillman-Furey Band with former Byrds member Chris Hillman and Poco’s Richie Furey. In 1976, he released a second solo album. Black roseIt was produced by Peter Asher, and featured a duet with his then-girlfriend Linda Ronstadt, “If You Have Crying Eyes.” His two biggest solo hits included the 1979 single “You’re Only Lonely,” which peaked at number seven on the Hot 100, and the 1981 duet “Her Down Two” with Taylor.
The great songwriter wrote “Run Like a Thief” for Bonnie Raitt’s 1975 album. Home plateand several songs for Ronstadt, including “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues”. Souther also recorded several duets with Ronstadt, including “Prisoner in Disguise,” “Sometimes You Can’t Win” and “Hearts Against the Wind,” which were part of the 1980 film. Urban Cowboy.
As an actor, he also appeared in South TV shows Thirty thousand, NashvilleAnd Refinement As well as movies Postcards from the edge, my girl 2, And Deadline.
The multi-talented artist was set to ring in the New Year’s tour with Carla Bonoff this month when it was cancelled.
After his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013, Souther was hailed as “the primary architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.”
During an interview PBS aired in 2016Souther said “a lot of time is involved in any kind of career in the arts” and called himself “lucky”.
“If really given the choice, I’d go to the beach and spend a couple of weeks in Aspen and skiing, or hang out at my ranch with my dogs,” he said, looking back on his life. “I work because I love my work, but I don’t love it more than my life.”
When asked why there was such a big gap between 1984 Home at dawn And If the world were you In 2008, Souther responded, “I said, ‘I’m going to get off the hamster wheel for a while and see what life is like when it’s off.’ Write, record, tour, write, record, tour, write, record, tour, promote.’ I was obviously very happy for 12, 14, 20 years.
Following his hiatus, the singer-songwriter would release four more albums. Reflecting on his return, Souther added, “I fell back in love with work again, which is always important.”
